Dental appliance



Feb. 28, 1928.

1,660,962 G. W. HAMILTON DENTAL APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 21 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l jww nhyc Gail -W. Hamilton m, jm w Feb. 28,1928.

1,660,962 G. W. HAMILTON DENTAL APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 21, 1925 2 sheetsrsheet 2 gwmm am whim-11+,

attain;

Patented Feb. 28, 1928.

UNITED STATES can. w. HAMILTON, or COUNCIL BLUIFS, Iowa.

DENTAL APPLIANCE.

Application flled D ecernber 21. 1925. Serial- No. 76,668.

This invention relates to a dental appliance adapted for use in obtaining the relationship ofthc jaws of an individual preparatory to the construction of dentures or plates. 1 j i In the practice of dentistry and when dentures or plates are made it is quite necessary that the teeth of the dentures or plates for the respective upper and lower jaws should register or occlude correctly. The object of the invention, broadly, is to provide an applianceconsisting of few and simple parts which may be readily adjusted for a temporary mounting upon the head and neck of an indivldual for guiding and pressing the mandible rcarwardly and .maintaining it in a retrusive position for a short interval. In operation. the condyles or articular prominences of the lower jaw-will be forced into the distal portions of the glenoid fossae or depressions of the temporal bones of the head. j Q i i It is well known that the articulation of the loweraw with the temporal bones of the headnormally permits a forward as well as a lateral swingingmovement of said jaw. Therefore a central or vertical occlusion is necessary, and this is accomplished in terms of professional dentistry by forcing the condyles of the mandibles into the distal portions of the glenoid tosses.

By use of the invention a great saving of time and material is often effected for the reason that an incorrect occlusion is prevented.

With the foregoing objects in view the invention presents a new and useful construction, combination and arrangement of parts as described herein and claimed, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it

being understood that changes in form, size, proportion of parts and minor details may be made as found to be of advantage, said changes being determined by the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of the appliance. Fig. 2 is a side view showing the same applied. Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section on line 1-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings for a more particular description, I provide a loop or frame 6 preferably of elongated form adapted to be mounted on the head and neck of an individual, said loop having an adjusting end-portion 7 adapted to engage the back of the head or neck and having a supporting end-portion 8 opposite to the end 7 provided with a holder 8 for engaging the chin of the individual. I

Numeral 9 indicates a pressure-plate disposed inwardly of the end-portion 7, and by means of a keeper 10 this plate may be moved toward the support 8. However, it is ob vious that operation would be efiective if the construction. was reversed, a pressure'plate being applied to the chin instead of the back of the head orneck, and 'I do not wish to limit myself to exactness in this respect.

While the parts thus described could be used with a measure of success by an experienced practitioner, care being exercised in adjusting the parts, the invention. for attaimng correctness and convenience in operation, includes additional features, said features to now be described.

Since. the heads of individuals difier in proportions the loop or framefi is extensible, and preferably consists of a pair of rigid bars 11 and 12, approximately of Ushape, connected one with the other at their ends. Any suitable means may be provided for this connection which will permit the ends of the loop, shown at7 and 8 to be maintained at greater or lesser distances from. each other,

the construction, shown herein consisting of tongues 13 provided for one of the bars adapted to engage in grooves or recesses 14 of the other bar, these engaging parts being connected by pins 15 which engage in apertures 16. V

The inner surface of the holder 8' of the supporting end-portion 8, preferably, is of concave form, as indicated at 17 so that any sliding movement of the chin, when disposed therein will be prevented. Also since the middle part of the concave holder 8 is disposed at the median line of the appliance, it may be depended upon as an aid when making adjustments for attaining the central occlusion mentioned.

The plate 9 is provided with end-extensions, prongs or arms 18 which are inclined inwardly at a suitable angle for being pressed forwardly upon parts of the neck equi-distant from the median line thereof.

Any suitable means may be provided for pressing and moving the plate 9 toward the support 8 or for moving it in a reverse direction, the keeper 10 shown herein for that purpose being threaded in an aperture 19 of the end-portion 7 diametrically opposite to the holder 8, and having a terminal swivelhead 20 movably mounted in said plate equiend of the frame against which the chin may rest, a neck plate disposed within the distant from the prongs 18, said aperture 19 rear end of said frame and having end exbeing disposed in a plane in alignment with the median line of the appliance.

Numerals 21 indicate parallel aligningrods which are stationary with the plate 9 and which engage slidingly in apertures 22 formed in the end-portion 7, said last named apertures preferably heing equi-distant from the aperture 19.

While the end-portions 7 and 8 are shown to be rectilinear, this form being preferred, I may of course use other forms for these end-portions.

.. Having described construction, operation will be readily understood. In mounting the appliance on the head and neck of an indidivual, the supporting part Sis so applied that the chin will approximately fill the depression or concave part 17. Care is exercised that the prongs "or inclined arms 18 will be disposed 'equ'i-dis'tant from the median line of the cranium. The keeper 1 0 may then be advanced or moved by use of its thumb-piece 23 for pressing the plate or its prongs forwardly upon the neck, the result being that the lower jaw will be pressed upwardly and rearwardly, its condyles or articular proini'nenc'es being forced into the distal fossee or depressions of the temporal bones, and its occlusion will be correct and perfect, the advantages in the use of the appliance being a saving of time and material as well as convenience in operation.

I claim as my invention,

1. A "dental appliance for aligning the jaws, comprising a rigid frame adapted to fit over the head, a chin "pad on the forward tensions inclined at a forward angle from the plate to fit against the neck and hold the plate from lateral shifting, means between the rear end of the frame and said plate for ad 'ancing the neck plate against the neck and binding the chin pad against thechin, and means for maintaining the neck plate in parallel relation at all adjustments relative to the rear end ofthe frame.

2. A dental appliance for aligning the jaws comprising a rigid adjustable frame adapted to fit over the head and having front and rear substantially parallel portions, a chin pad carried upon the front portion of the frame, a neck plate disposed within the rear end of the frame and disposed in parallel relation with said rear end ofthe frame, spaced pins carried by the neck plate and slidably en aging through the rear portion of the frame for holding the neck plate in parallel relation to the frame until adjustment of the neck plate, said neck plate hav ing lateral wings disposed to engage about neck and maintain the neck plate from lateral shifting, a thumb screw carried upon the rear portion of the frame and engaging said neck plate to advance the same against the neck and bind said chin pad against the lower jaw, said neck plate arranged for rectilinear movement toward and from the chin pad and adapted to' exert lateral pressure upon said frame to aline "the jaws.

In testimony whereof, I have allixed my signature. 7

GAIL W. HAMILTON 

